Independents award themselves a vote of confidence

Independent candidates remain confident of their chances.

Chong Chan-yau, the blind fund-raising director of the Oxfam charity, said his participation might generate more support for the polls among voters.

'Some people I have contacted said my running for the election led them to think the contest would be more humanised rather than just a competition between political parties,' he said.

His main support would come from disabled people and chronic patients who accounted for 10 per cent of the population, he said.

Other supporters would include those who believed in equal opportunities.

Jennifer Chow Kit-bing, who withdrew from the Liberal Party after Ada Wong Ying-kay was selected over her to contest elections, said: 'I suppose some voters may give me a sympathy vote.' Another independent, accountant Louis Leung Wing-on, said his professional background would be an asset.

'I do not think my chances are low. There are still more than 30 per cent of voters undecided,' he said.

'They may not like political party candidates and they may choose me after comparing the background of the independent candidates.'